From design to manufacturing, businesses invest significant resources in developing their product line. Collaborating with packaging engineers helps ensure the finished products arrive at their destination safely.
Our guide will explore some of the best tips for partnering with a packaging engineering team. Learn how to set realistic objectives and budgets while ensuring you have strategies in place to overcome potential challenges.
Understanding the Role of a Packaging Engineer
Custom packaging engineers have a multifaceted role. They are responsible for designing, developing and manufacturing solutions to ensure products move from point A to point B without damage.
To complete these tasks successfully, they require extensive knowledge of materials and structural design. In addition, they must be mindful of current sustainability practices to ensure the packaging has a low carbon impact.
While working with an in-house team has cost advantages, it’s worth partnering with an external engineering team to optimize your packaging solutions. Specialized engineering teams have the expertise and capabilities needed to design and create durable, sustainable product packaging.
Key Steps for Effective Collaboration
Whether you’re collaborating with packaging engineers for the first or hundredth time, it’s always a good idea to refine your process. These steps will help you streamline the procedure for optimal results.
1. Clearly Define Your Objectives
From protecting your products to promoting your brand, packaging serves multiple purposes. Some products — such as food items or pharmaceuticals — will also require specialized packaging to ensure industry compliance.
Articulating your business’s packaging priorities helps engineers design a solution that meets all requirements. For example, a company shipping its products across borders may place a higher emphasis on durable packaging. Businesses with a millennial or Gen Z target audience will likely prioritize eco-friendly packaging to drive more sales. Clearly defining your goals helps packaging experts develop the best options for your business.
2. Share Comprehensive Product Information
The packaging for a set of champagne glasses will differ vastly from packaging for a wooden table. Listing your product specifications allows packaging experts to identify the best solution. Some factors to consider include:
- Dimensions: Use a measuring tape to determine the product’s width, length and height. If the item has an irregular shape, refer to its tallest point to determine its height.
- Weight:Â Heavier products may require more durable packaging solutions. Weighing your items beforehand will help guide your material selection.
- Fragility:Â Packaging inserts, such as cardboard or foam dividers, help keep fragile items upright. Similarly, Bubble Wrap and fillers help absorb any impact during transit.
- Environmental considerations:Â Consider the ideal environmental conditions for the product during transit. For example, some fruits and vegetables may require ventilated packaging to keep them fresh. Meanwhile, clothing is best packaged in an airtight solution to ensure it does not come into contact with moisture.
3. Set a Realistic Budget and Timeline
By determining an accurate budget and timeline, you prime your project for efficiency. Some costs to consider when refining your budget include:
- Materials:Â Every cardboard box or filler comes with a cost, which increases with your order quantity.
- Design:Â Packaging solutions offer a canvas to advertise your brand. By investing in graphic design services, you can create a more reputable image.
- Production:Â From printing the materials to assembling each component, packaging solutions require a team to execute the process. Be sure to factor these labor costs into your final budget.
- Logistics: You will probably need to ship the packaging to your warehouse and store it until required. It’s best to overestimate transport costs, as these are likely to change based on fuel prices.
Being upfront about your financial constraints and desired timeline helps packaging engineers deliver your solutions on time and within budget. It’s always best to include some buffer time to ensure there are no halts within your supply chain.
4. Be Open to Feedback and Interaction
Packaging development is an interactive process. Businesses open to refining and adapting their designs generally achieve better results.
By leveraging packaging engineer services, you can learn how to optimize solutions for product longevity. In addition, you can benefit from the wide range of skills to improve your branding, lower your carbon footprint and streamline your packaging process.
Communication Best Practices
Communication is pivotal to any successful relationship — including partnerships with packaging engineers. Here are some key tips to open up the communication channels:
- Host regular meetings:Â Even if you’ve been working with a packaging engineering team for many years, it’s worth meeting up periodically to reiterate your priorities. Schedule consistent check-ins to ensure alignment and address any concerns promptly.
- Use visual aids and prototypes: Approximately 65% of people are visual learners. Help the team understand your packaging goals with sketches, 3D models, computer-aided design (CAD) and physical prototypes to better convey ideas and expectations.
- Speak the same language:Â By taking the time to learn basic packaging terminology, you can facilitate clearer communication with engineers. Using the correct jargon helps everyone stay on the same page.
Discussing Sustainability and Innovation
Packaging serves a vital purpose during transit — but what happens to the materials after the product has reached its destination?
Companies that place a higher emphasis on sustainability in packaging reduce their carbon footprint. By using recycled materials or promoting the reuse of packaging components, you can limit excess waste in landfills.
At the start of your packaging journey, lean on the engineering team to explore new materials, reusable designs and other eco-friendly solutions. By taking a greener stance, you showcase your commitment to a more sustainable future and attract clients.
Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them
You might encounter some challenges when partnering with a packaging engineering team for the first time. Here are some potential obstacles and the best way to overcome them:
- Miscommunication or misalignment of goals
- Cost overruns and delays
- Balancing aesthetics with functionality
It’s worth taking the time to research packaging engineering companies and weighing up their experience before settling on a partner. Choosing a knowledgeable provider will help eliminate many of these potential issues.
Partner With Great Northern Laminations® for Tailored Packaging Options
Custom packaging solutions ensure optimal protection throughout the product journey. Working with a talented engineering team also enables you to use these solutions to build your brand, communicate essential information and ensure compliance within your industry.
Laminations specializes in paperboard packaging protection. Our innovative solutions help customers cut assembly time in half, reduce the cost of packaging materials and lower shipping costs throughout the supply chain. Explore our wide range of packaging products or get in touch with our expert team for more information!
